Arrow quiver

ABSTRACT

An arrow quiver for transporting and storing arrows. The quiver includes a flexible panel that can be selectively rolled from a flattened form into an open-ended tubular form. A number of releasable fasteners are affixed to the panel for selectively retaining the panel in a tubular form. A number of clasps are affixed to the panel for releasably securing an equal number of arrows to the panel. A cap is hingedly secured to the bottom of the panel for closing one end of the tubular form. A carrying strap is attached to the panel.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to package and article carriers and, more particularly, to carriers for bows or arrows.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many bow hunters stalk game from tree stands set-up in remote areas accessible only by means of a long walk. To get to these areas, a hunter must typically tote not only his tree stand but, also, his bow and a number of arrows. Since most arrows employed for hunting possess razor-sharp arrowheads that need to be isolated from all but their intended targets and protected from damaging blows, they are typically held in quivers on their trip to a tree stand.

A normal quiver includes a hollow tube that is plugged at one end and is connected to a shoulder strap. Prior to a trek, a clutch of arrows is placed into the top of the tube and, then, the strap is slung over the shoulder of a hunter. While such a device offers a convenient way to transport arrows, it does possess some drawbacks that make it less than ideal for serious sportsmen. For example, the loosely held arrows found in a normal quiver can, and often do, unintentionally spill out upon the ground and become damaged or lost. A need, therefore, exists for a quiver that prevents the unintended loss of arrows during transport yet provides easy access when quarry is near.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In light of the problems associated with transporting arrows in conventional quivers, it is a principal object of the invention to provide a quiver that releasably grasps arrows positioned therein to prevent their inadvertent and unintended loss. The new quiver grasps arrows in a manner that evenly spaces them from one another so as to prevent damage to their arrowheads and shafts from mutual blows as the quiver is moved. Further, by maintaining arrows in a separated condition, they are easier to retrieve when quarry approaches.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a quiver of the type described that can be opened so that arrows can be easily loaded therein and, later, retrieved one-by-one as from a fully charged ammunition magazine. Loading and unloading of the quiver can be accomplished quickly and quietly; so, use of the quiver is not likely to scare game animals.

It is another object of the invention to provide an arrow quiver of the type described that can be set up and used with minimal instruction and without tools of any sort. The quiver can accommodate arrows of various lengths and designs without modification.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an arrow quiver of the type described that is selectively collapsible for convenient storage in the trunk of a car or in a closet when not in use.

It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof in an arrow quiver for the purposes described which is lightweight in construction, inexpensive to manufacture, and dependable in use.

Briefly, the quiver in accordance with this invention achieves the intended objects by featuring a flexible panel that can be selectively rolled from a flattened form into an open-ended tubular form. The flexible panel has a rectangular jacket with a front sheet and a back sheet stitched together about their peripheries. A number of ribs are positioned between the front sheet and the back sheet. A number of seams join the front sheet and the back sheet together, each of which is positioned between an adjacent pair of ribs. A number of releasable fasteners are affixed to the exterior of the panel for selectively retaining the panel in a tubular form. A number of clasps, each of which is selectively affixed to a respective one of the ribs, for releasably securing an equal number of arrows to the panel. A cap is hingedly secured to the bottom of the panel for closing the bottom end of the tubular form. A carrying strap is attached to the panel.

The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention may be more readily described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a top view of an arrow quiver in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the arrow quiver taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the arrow quiver.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the arrow quiver taken a long line 4-4 of FIG. 1.

Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the FIGS., an arrow quiver in accordance with the present invention is shown at 10. Quiver 10 includes a flexible panel 12 that can be manually rolled into a tube. To panel 12 is affixed a number of releasable fasteners 14 for selectively holding panel 12 in a tubular form. A number of clasps 16 are affixed to the front of panel 12 for releasably securing an equal number of arrows 18 to panel 12. Below clasps 16, a cap 20 is hingedly secured to panel 12 to close the bottom of the tube made from the rolled-up panel 12. A carrying strap 22 is attached to the back of panel 12 to permit such to be easily transported by a user.

Panel 12 includes a rectangular jacket 24 having a front sheet 26 and a back sheet 28 sewn together about their peripheries. Positioned between sheets 26 and 28 are a number of ribs 30 extending from the top of jacket 24 to the bottom of jacket 24. Adjacent ribs 30 are separated from one another by sewn seams 32 that form snug-fitting pockets within jacket 24 for containing ribs 30. Seams 32 also define hinges that permit ribs 30 to pivot relative to one another. Thus, jacket 24 can be flattened or rolled countless times without compromising its structural integrity.

Each of ribs 30 comprises an elongated strip of plastic having an arcuate cross-section for enhanced stiffness. Preferably, the front of each rib 30 is concave and the back of each rib 30 is convex to resist bending. Furthermore, when panel 12 is rolled, the front and back thereof curve smoothly to resemble known quivers in a manner pleasing to the eyes of avid sportsmen. If desired, however, ribs 30 can be made flat; but, flat ribs would have to be more heavily constructed to obtain the same resistance to bending provided by curved ribs and the appearance of quiver can would be somewhat less traditional.

Extending from one end of panel 12 is a number of flexible tabs 34. Each of tabs 34 is integrally formed with sheets 26 and 28 by sewing opposed lateral extensions of rectangular outline together. Of course, tabs 34 can be formed a myriad of other ways such as by sewing separate pieces of cloth to panel 12.

Panel 12 is provided with a number of releasable fasteners 14 so that it can be selectively formed into a tube. Each fastener 14 includes a strip 36 of VELCRO pile material affixed to the front of a respective one of tabs 34. A dense mat of small, uncut loops formed of thread characterizes each strip 36. Each fastener 14 also includes a strip 38 of VELCRO hook material, affixed to back sheet 28 at the end opposite that bearing tabs 34. Each strip 38 has a plurality of transverse lines of hooks spaced along its length. The ends of hooks are turned inwardly to catch in loops of strip 36 when strips 36 and 38 are pressed together.

One clasp 16 is affixed to each of ribs 30 by means of a penetrating fastener 40. Each of clasps 16 is provided with a pair of opposed jaws 42 define a keyhole slot 44 therebetween. Each slot 44 is sized to snugly receive the shaft 46 of one arrow 18 and is oriented to retain shaft 46 in alignment with the longitudinal axis of the rib 30 to which it is affixed. As clasps 16 are formed of rubber, jaws 42 easily yield to permit the passage of a shaft 46 pressed into, or pulled from, a slot 44. Nonetheless, in the event of an unexpected bump during use, clasps 16 normally maintain arrows 18 in engagement with panel 12 thus preventing the loss of an arrow 18.

Clasps 16 are small enough to permit panel 12 to be rolled into a tube without impediment. When rolled, clasps 16 are positioned adjacent one another and do not normally touch. In the event of a bump, however, clasps 16 will move into engagement to retain panel 12 in a tube-like form and will dissipate energy in the manner of a car bumper to prevent damage to arrows 18.

Cap 20 includes a circular plate 48 having a fabric covering 50 and carrying a foam disk 52. Plate 48 is formed of stiff plastic and has a diameter sufficient to close the bottom of the tube formed by rolling panel 12. Covering 50, however, is formed from the same material as sheets 26 and 28 and fully encases plate 48. A sewn seam 54 along a portion of the periphery of covering 50 attaches plate 48 to sheets 26 and 28 in a manner that permits plate 48 hinged movement. Disk 52 is positioned atop plate 48 and is affixed to covering 50 by means of a suitable adhesive. Disk 52 has a resiliency sufficient to receive the arrowheads 56 of arrows 18 and prevent them from sliding about.

A pair of releasable fasteners 58 retains cap 20 in a position where the bottom of rolled panel 12 is closed. Fasteners 58 comprise a pair of small flaps 60 radiate outwardly from cap 20 at points remote from sewn seam 54. The back of each of flaps 60 carries a strip 62 of VELCRO pile material. A dense mat of small, uncut loops formed of thread characterizes each strip 62. Fasteners 58 also comprise a pair of strips 64 of VELCRO hook material, affixed to front sheet 26 on opposite sides of seam 54. Each strip 64 has a plurality of transverse lines of hooks spaced along its length. The ends of hooks are turned inwardly to catch in loops of strip 62 when strips 62 and 64 are pressed together.

A pair of anchor rings 66 and 68 is affixed to the back sheet 28 for the attachment of carrying strap 22. A piece of webbing 70 is wrapped around ring 66 and sewn to the bottom of sheet 28 to secure ring 66 in place. A longer piece of webbing 72 is employed with respect to ring 68 and is sewn to the top of sheet 28 by a pair of spaced-apart seems 74 so that a slot 76 is formed between webbing 72 and sheet 28. A trouser-supporting belt (not shown) of a user can be extended through slot 76 for carrying quiver can low to the ground.

Should the user desire to carry quiver off his shoulder, carrying strap 22 is provided. Strap 22 is an elongated piece of webbing 78 having clips 80 secured to its opposite ends in the usual manner. Each of clips 80 is adapted for releasable connection to one of rings 66 or 68. A slide fastener 82 on webbing 78 permits the length of the strap 22 to be adjusted to accommodate users of varied dimensions.

Use of arrow quiver 10 is straightforward. First, panel 12 is laid flat upon a horizontal support with the front of panel 12 facing a user. Then, panel 12 is charged with arrows 18 by pressing their shafts 46 into the keyhole slots 44 provided in clasps 16. (When pressing the shafts 46 into place, arrowheads 56 must be positioned adjacent the bottom of panel 12 and fletchings 84 and nocks 86 must extend from the top of panel 12.) Next, panel 12 is rolled up and retained in a tubular condition by pressing strips 36 and 38 of fasteners 14 together. Finally, cap 20 is pivoted into position against arrowheads 56 and strips 62 and 64 are pressed together to securely close the bottom of rolled panel 12. Quiver 10 can now be transported into the field, by means of a belt extended through slot 76 or strap 22 over a shoulder, without fear of loss of any of arrows 18.

Should a user need to withdraw an arrow 18 from quiver 10, he can do it easily with quiver 10 either rolled or unrolled. If quiver 10 is rolled, a user need only pull upwardly on the end of an arrow extending from quiver 10. The upward pull will release the arrow 18 from a clasp 16 and permit its immediate use. On the other hand, if quiver 10 is unrolled, as it might be if used in a tree stand or hunting blind, arrows 18 can be withdrawn one by one from clasps 16 for rapid fire as from a magazine.

When use of quiver 10 is no longer required it can be compactly stored in either a rolled or flattened condition. Should quiver become soiled during use, it can be washed with mild soap and water prior to storage. Quiver 10 will provide years of service under normal conditions of use.

While quiver 10 has been described with a high degree of particularity, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that modification can be made thereto. Therefore, it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the sole quiver embodiment descried above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims. 

1. An arrow quiver, comprising: a flexible panel adapted to be selectively rolled from a flattened form into an open-ended tubular form; a plurality of releasable fasteners affixed to said panel for selectively retaining said panel in a tubular form; a plurality of clasps affixed to said panel for releasably securing an equal number of arrows to said panel; a cap hingedly secured to the bottom of said panel for closing one end of the tubular form; and, a carrying strap attached to said panel.
 2. The arrow quiver according to claim 1 wherein said panel includes: a rectangular jacket having a front sheet and a back sheet stitched together about their peripheries; a plurality of ribs extending from the top of said jacket to the bottom of said jacket; and, a plurality of seams sewn onto said jacket, each of which being positioned between an adjacent pair of ribs.
 3. The arrow quiver according to claim 2 wherein each of said ribs has an arcuate cross-section.
 4. The arrow quiver according to claim 1 wherein each of said releasable fasteners includes: a strip of pile material, characterized by a dense mat of small uncut loops of thread, affixed to one end of said panel; and, a strip hook material, characterized by a plurality of transverse lines of hooks turned inwardly to catch in said loops, affixed to the other end of said panel.
 5. The arrow quiver according to claim 1 wherein each of said clasps includes a pair of opposed jaws that define a keyhole slot therebetween, said slot being sized to snugly receive the shaft of an arrow.
 6. The arrow quiver according to claim 1 wherein said cap includes a circular plate having a fabric covering and carrying a foam disk.
 7. An arrow quiver, comprising: a flexible panel adapted to be selectively rolled from a flattened form into an open-ended tubular form, said flexible panel including: a rectangular jacket having a front sheet and a back sheet stitched together about their peripheries; a plurality of ribs positioned between said front sheet and said back sheet and extending from the top to the bottom thereof; and, a plurality of seams sewn joining said front sheet and said back sheet, each of which being positioned between an adjacent pair of ribs; a plurality of releasable fasteners affixed to the exterior of said panel for selectively retaining said panel in a tubular form; a plurality of clasps, each of which being selectively affixed to a respective one of said ribs for releasably securing an equal number of arrows to said panel; a cap hingedly secured to the bottom of said panel for closing one end of the tubular form; and, a carrying strap attached to said panel.
 8. The arrow quiver according to claim 7 wherein each of said ribs has an arcuate cross-section.
 9. The arrow quiver according to claim 7 wherein each of said releasable fasteners includes: a strip of pile material, characterized by a dense mat of small uncut loops of thread, affixed to one end of said panel; and, a strip hook material, characterized by a plurality of transverse lines of hooks turned inwardly to catch in said loops, affixed to the other end of said panel.
 10. The arrow quiver according to claim 7 wherein each of said clasps includes a pair of opposed jaws that define a keyhole slot therebetween, said slot being sized to snugly receive the shaft of an arrow.
 11. The arrow quiver according to claim 7 wherein said cap includes a circular plate having a fabric covering and carrying a foam disk. 